Core i5-2390T vs Celeron N4120

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2390T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Celeron N4120

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2390T

2 / 4

2,491

+1.1%

2,463

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-2390T is positioned at rank 926 and the Celeron N4120 is on rank 1239, so the Core i5-2390T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2390T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

22770%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

21515%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

15622%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4706%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3728%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3261%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1868%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1843%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1678%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1678%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1660%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1615%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1592%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1586%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1571%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

98%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

98%

#926

Core i5-2390T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $182

100%

#927

Phenom II X4 910e

MSRP: $157|Avg: $69

100%

#928

FX-8100

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

100%

#930

Celeron E1400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $63

99%

#932

Pentium E6800

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

98%

#933

Core i3-530

MSRP: $113|Avg: $15

98%

#935

Core i3-2105

MSRP: $138|Avg: $30

97%

#936

Athlon II X3 405e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

97%

#937

Core i3-3225

MSRP: $172|Avg: $167

97%

#938

Athlon II X3 400e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#939

Athlon II X2 245e

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

96%

#940

Core i3-3220T

MSRP: $149|Avg: $146

96%

#941

Athlon II X2 240e

MSRP: $77|Avg: $77

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4120

#1227

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

15524%

#1228

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

15296%

#1229

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

14042%

#1230

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

13979%

#1231

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

13851%

#1233

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

13376%

#1234

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

12825%

#1235

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

12804%

#1236

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

12460%

#1239

Celeron N4120

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron N4120 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-2390T	Celeron N4120
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($182)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2390T (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-2390T	Celeron N4120
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($182)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-2390T Benchmark Check

Celeron N4120 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2390T and Celeron N4120

Core i5-2390T

The Core i5-2390T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,491 points. Launch price was $100.

Celeron N4120

The Celeron N4120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,463 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2390T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron N4120 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron N4120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-2390T versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 — a 29.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2390T (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-2390T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N4120 uses Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2390T scores 2,491 against the Celeron N4120's 2,463 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-2390T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2390T vs 4 MB on the Celeron N4120.

Feature	Core i5-2390T	Celeron N4120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+145%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)
PassMark	2,491+1%	2,463
Geekbench 6 Single	614	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2390T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N4120 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2390T	Celeron N4120
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2390T) / not specified (Celeron N4120). The Core i5-2390T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Celeron N4120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2390T targets Legacy Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2390T rivals A8-3800.